Machine for dressing wooden blocks to thickness.



NOI-833,163. Y PATENTED OOT.1O, 1906.

' H. P. HAMILTON N, J. HAMAOHEOK.

MAOHINB ROR DRESSING WOODEN BLOCKS TO THIOKNESS.

A.AVPtLIGA'TION FILED MAY1B,1906.

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v H. P. HAMILTON a J'. HAMACH'ECK.

MACHINE FOR DRESSING WOODEN BLOCKSv T0 THICKNESS. APPLIGATION FILED MAY 19,1905.

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` PATENTED OCT. 16, 1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY P. HAMILTON, OF TWO RIVERS, AND JULIUS HAMACHECK, OF

MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS T O THE HAMILTON MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF TWO RIVERS, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION or wiscoNsiN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1906.

'Application filed May 18,1905. Serial No. 260,958.

T0 a/ZZ whom it Wto/y concern,.-

Be it known that we, HENRY P. HAMILTON, a resident of Two Rivers, and JULIUs HAMA- oHEoK, a resident of Manitowoc,k in the county of Manitowoc, State of Wisconsin, citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Dressing Wooden Blocks to Thickness,i o which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for dressing wooden blocks to thickness, and relates particularly tov machines for dressing blocks to thickness which are to be used in the manufacture of what are known as endwood type, said machines being commonly known as type-high machines.

End-wood type as is generally known are type carved or stamped in the surfaces of blocks of wood, usually maple, cut crosswise of the grain, surfaced'and polished on one side and dressed to thickness on the other, tlie type being cut or stamped and receiving the impression in printing lengthwise of the grain of the wood instead of crosswise of the gram, as 1n other forms of wood type.

In the preparation of the blocks from which end-wood type is made the usual practice is to first surface and polish the sides of said blocks on which the letters are to be formed and then to dress them to thickness on the opposite side in a suitable machine for the purpose, which, as stated, is commonly known as a type-high machine, by placing them on the movable bed of said machine with their finished faces down and then imparting movement to said movable bed to cause said blocks to pass under the cutter of said machine,

When the first step, the surfacing and polishing of the blocks, is done by'machinery, it is found that the blocks are liable to Warp,

, particularly-if any considerable length of time elapses between the surfacing and polishing of the blocks and the dressing of them to thickness on the back in the type-high machine, said warping being probably due to the heating of the blocks in surfacing and polishing the same and the subsequent cooling thereof. It is found in practice that this warping usually occurs in the form of dishing of the blocks at the centers thereof and that the variation in the thickness of said blocks at their centers and edges due to such dishing is frequently several thousandths of an inch, the dishing and consequent variation in the thickness of the blocks depending upon.

the size of said blocks, being comparatively slight in small blocks and much greater in larger blocks. The variation in the thickness of the blocks necessarily produces a corresponding variation in the length or height of the finished type made therefrom and which produces an uneven impression in printing from said type.

The object of the present invention is to provide means in a type-high machine whereby the blocks of wood will be held flat upon the bed of the machine when being presented to the cutter thereof, thus overcoming the effect of the warping or dishing of said blocks and producing blocks of practically uniform thickness. Thus when said blocks are subsequently cut into small blocks which are to receive the individual letters and other characters said smaller blocks will be of the same thickness and the type made therefrom of the same height. Experience has shown that the variation in the height of type made from blocks finished in a type-high machine equipped with or embodying our improvements does not exceed one one-thousandth of an inch and that the impressions therefrom in printing are, so far as the eye can detect, absolutely uniform.

Broadly stated, our invention consists of a pressure-roller supported above the bed of the machine so as to be movable toward and from4 the same and which is designed and adapted for applying pressure to a block of wood supported upon the bed of the machine closely adjacent to the point at which said block is presented to the cutter of the machine, together with means for urging said pressure-roller toward the bed of the machine with a force corresponding to the pressure which it is desired to eXert upon said blocks. Preferably, also, said pressureroller is supported so as to be movable transversely of the machine-bed to provide for adjusting the same centrally of the blocks of IOO details of' construction hereinafter described A and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which a pressure device of our invention is fully lillustrated as applied to a type-high machine, Figure 1 is a partial top plan sectional view of a type-high machine, showing our improved pressure device in top plan view` applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a partial sectional side elevation thereof on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a partial sectional elevation thereof on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on the line 4 4 of Fig.v 1, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, A designates the stationary bed or frame of a typehigh machine 5 B, the movable bed or carriage thereof C, the cutter-head 5 D, the cutter secured thereto, and E the cutter-shaft, all of which may be of any desired or approved construction.

The machine is represented as operating upon a block of wood, (shown at F,) which is secured upon the movable bed B of the machine, with its surfaced and polished side down, by means of dogs or clamps f, the heads of which slidably engage transverse T-slots f in said movable bed B and which are adjustable in`- said slots to efl'ect engagement thereof with'the blocks F by means of screws f2, all in the usual manner.

VBevolubly supported above the movable bed B of the machine closely adjacent to the point at which the block F is presented to the cutter D yand in such manner as to be movable toward and from the bed of the machine is a roller 1, said roller being also preferably movable transversely of the machine to provide for adjusting it centrally of a block upon which the. machine is operating at a given time.

In the preferable construction shown the roller 1 is mounted `on a shaft 2, secured against rotation in suitable bearings in a frame 3, provided with trunnions 4, which are iitted to and freely revoluble in suitable bearings formed at the upper ends of brackets or standards 5, bolted to the stationary bed A of the machine and which extend upwardly outside of and above the movable bed B. To provide for adjusting the pressure-roller l centrally of a given block, the portion of said shaft 2 which forms the journal for` said roller is made materially longer than the thickness of said roller where it engages said shaft, is fitted thereto so that it may be freely movable lengthwise thereof-that is, transversely of the bed B.

The shaft 2 is disposed out of line with or eccentric to the axis of the trunnions 4 of the frame,I which carries said shaft 2. Rotary movement of said frame 3 upon its trunnions will"l 1. thus operate to impart movement to said roller 1 toward and from the bed 'of the machine as said frame is moved in one direction or the other.

The roller 1 is normally urged toward the -bed of the machine by means of a desired force applied to the frame 3. As shown, this force is exerted upon said frame 3 by means of a lever 6 applied to said frame, which carries a weight 7, preferably in such manner as to be adjustable lengthwise thereof to provide for varying the force applied to the frame 3, and thus the pressure exertedupon the blocks F by the roller 1. As shown, the lever 6 is secured in a suitable groove formed in an arm 8 on a hub 9, keyed to the projecting end of a trunnion 4 of the frame 3. In practice it is found that a pressure of approximately three hundred pounds exerted on the blocks F will operate to overcome the warping or dishing thereof, so as to force the under side or surface thereof into contact with the bed of the machine.

In practice desired play or movement of the pressure-roller 1 is secured with an eccentricity of about two and one-half inches of the shaft 2 relatively to the trunnions 4 of the frame 3, and with this relation desired pressure on the blocks F can be secured by means of a weight of sixty pounds carried on the lever 6 at j approximately twelve and one-half inches from the axis of the trunnions, and in particular cases this pressure can be increased or decreased, as may be desired, by changing the point of application of the weight 7 to the lever 6.

The roller 1 is adapted to be raised out of the path of a block F as said block approaches the cutter E by means of a footlever 10, pivoted to a suitable support, as a floor bracket or standard 1l, one end of which is connected to the lever 6 by means of a rod or bar 12.

The roller 1 is preferably applied as close as practicable to the cutter E, and to prevent said roller from dropping down into ContactV with said cutter a suitable stop is provided which limits the downward movement of said roller, said stop being preferably of such nature that a yielding resistance will be offered to the downward movement of said roller before the same is positively stopped, said yielding resistance or cushion operating to check the downward movement of said roller and to effect the stopping thereof without jar. In the preferable construction shown the downward movement of said IOO IIC

roller 1 is checked and stopped in the following manner: Secured to the projecting end of the trunnion 4 other than that to which the lever 6 is applied and ink substantially the same manner is a lever 13, the outer end of which is connected by a rod 14 to the piston 15 of a dash-pot, the cylinder 16 of which is secured in iixed position to the side of the main bed or frame A of the `machine. Formed in the side of the cylinder 16 of the dash-pot at such a distance above the bottom thereof that it will be uncovered when the piston. 15 is raised a distance corresponding to the elevation of the roller 1 when resting upon a block F of minimum thickness is a vent hole or opening 17. Thus as long as there is a block F in the machine upon which.

the pressure-roller 1 rests air lmay freely enter the dash-pot below the piston 15, so as to allow unrestricted movement of said piston,

and thus of the frame 3 and the roller 1, under the influence of the weight 7. As soon, however, as the roller 1 runs off from the block F said roller can fall only a very short distance before the Piston 15 will close the ventfhole 17 thus forming an air-cushion beneath said piston, which will offer a yielding resistance to the further downward movement ofthe roller 1 and will operate to stop said roller gradually as the air in the dash-pot 16 gradually escapes past said piston or when the pressure in the dash-pot becomes great enough to counterbalance the weight 7. The bottom of the cylinder 16 ,of the dash-pot forms a rigid stop which will operate to positively limit downward movement of the pressure-roller l when the under side of the piston 15 comes into contact therewith., and to provide for regulating the lowermost position of said roller 1 the rod 14, whichconnects the piston 15 with 'the lever 13, is adjustable, so that by making the same longer or shorter the piston 15 will come into contact with the bottom of the dash-pot 1() at a higher or lower'position of said pressure-roller, as may be desired. To provide for adjusting the length of the rod 14 in the manner described, said rod is made in sections screwed together and adapted to be secured in adjusted position by means of a suitable check-nut, and to provide for turning said rod relatively to the piston 15 in adjusting thel same said rod is connected to said piston by means of a ball-and-socket joint 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In order to break the vacuum in the dashpot below the piston 15 when it is desired to raise the pressure-roller 1, and thus remove all resistance to the raising of said roller due to this cause, said dash-pot is provided with a check-valve in its bottom which is adapted to open when the piston of the dash-pot is piston is forced down. As shown, said check-valve consists of a ball 19, provided with a suitable seat 20 at the inner end of an opening 21, formed in the bottom of a cup or pocket 22 in the bottom of the cylinder 16 Vof the dash-pot. As shown, also, said ball 19 is normally held to its seat by a light spring 23, inserted between said ball and a shoulder formed by a bushing 24, screwed into the upper end of the pocket 22.

When the piston 15 is above the vent hole or opening 17, in which position no resistance is offered to the movement of said piston 15, said piston will operate as a weight to exert a downward pressure on the roller 1 in the same manner as the weight 7, thus rendering it possible to distribute the gross total weight necessary to exert the desired pressure on the blocks F between said piston 15 and the weight 7.

We claim as our inventiond 1. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a movable bed, means for securing a block of wood or other work upon said bed, a cutter and a pressure device for applying pressure to said block of wood or other work while being presented to the cutter, said pressure device comprising a pressure-roller revolubly mounted above the bed of the machine 'in position to pass substantially across the center of the work, said pressure-roller having a tread for engaging the work much narrower than the width of the work whereby the full force of said pressure-roller will be exerted substantially at the center of the work. V

2. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a movable bed, means for securing a block of wood or other work upon said bed, a cutter and a pressure device for applying pressure to said block ,of wood or other work while being presented to the cutter, said pressure device comprising a pressure-roller revolubly mounted above the bed of the machine in position to pass substantially across the center of the work, said pressure-roller having a tread for engaging the work much narrower than the width of the work whereby the full force of said pressureroller will be exerted substantially at the center of the work and said roller being freely movable transversely of the bed of the machine to provide for adjusting the same cen trally of the work.

IOS I IIO 3. In a machine of the type described',` the f of the work, said pressure-roller having a tread for engaging the work much narrower than the width of the work whereby the full force of said pressure-roller will be exerted substantially at the center of the work.

4. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a movable bed, means for securing a block of wood or other work upon said bed, a cutter and a pressure device for applying pressure to said block of wood or other work, said pressure device comprising a frame rotatably mounted above the bed of the machine, a shaft secured in said frame eccentrically to the axis about which said frame is rotatable, and a pressure-roller mounted to rotate freely on said shaft, said pressureroller having a tread for engaging the work much narrower than the width of the work and the portion of said shaft which forms the journal for said roller being longer than the thickness of said roller where it engages said shaft to provide 'for moving said roller laterally to adjust the same centrally of the work.

5. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a movable bed, means for securing a block of wood or other work upon said bed, a cutter and a lpressure device for applying pressure to said block of wood or other work while being presented to the cutter, said pressure device comprising a frame rotatably mounted above the bed of the machine, a pressure-roller revolubly mounted on said frame, a lever applied to said rotata ble frame, a dash-pot and a rod which connects the piston of said dash-pot with said lever at a distance from the axis of said rotable frame equal to several times the eccentricity of said presssure-roller.

6. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a movable bed, means for securing a block of wood or other work upon said bed, a cutter and a pressure device for applying pressure to said block of wood or other work while being presented to the cutter, said pressure device comprising a pressure-roller revolubly mounted above the bed of the machine in position to pass substantially across the center of the work, said pressure-roller having a tread for engaging the work much narrower than the width of the work whereby the full force of said pressure-roller Will be exerted substantially at the center of the work, and stops which limit the approach of said pressure-roller to the bed o1c the machine.

7. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a movable bed, means for securing a block of wood or other work upon said bed, a cutter and a pressure device for applying pressure to said block of wood or other Work while being presented to the cutter, said pressure device comprising a frame rotatably mounted above the bed of the machine, a pressure-roller revolubly mounted on said frame eccentrically to the axis of rotation of `said frame, a lever applied to said rotatable frame, a dash-pot, a rod which connectsthe piston of said dash-pot with said lever at a distance from the axis of said rotatable frame equal to several times the eccentricity of said pressure-roller, and rigid stops which define the lowest position of said pressure-roller, the relation being such that an airecushion will be formed in said dash-pot prior to contact of said rigid stops.

8. In a machine of the type described, the combination of a movable bed, means for securing a blo-ck of wood or other work upon said bed, a cutter and a pressure device for applying pressure to said block of wood or other work while being presented to the cutter, said pressure device comprising a frame rotatably mounted above the bed of the machine, a pressure-roller revolubly mounted on said frame eccentrically to the axis of rotation of said frame, a lever applied to said rotatable frame, a dash-pot and a rod which connects the piston of said dash-pot with said lever at a distance from the axis of said rotatable frame equal'to several times the eccentricity of said pressure-roller, the relation being such that a rigid portion of the piston of said dash-pot will strike a rigid portion of the cylinder of said dash-pot at a predetermined point in the downward movement of said pressure-roller.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention we aflix our signatures, in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 8th day of May, A. D. 1905.

HENRY P. HAMILTON. J ULIUS HAMACHECK.

I/Vitnesses:

A, H. Lor-IMAN, F. H. WIEsE. 

